Episode 3 of "Love Scout" kicks off with Ji-yun passionately advocating for her former employer to acknowledge responsibility for a serious misconduct that severely impacted their clientele. As the narrative unfolds, it's revealed that the company's CEO has taken his own life, casting Ji-yun under a shadow of blame orchestrated by her former senior, now the CEO of Career Way, who accuses her of pushing the company towards accountability.
The scene transitions seamlessly to the present, where Eun-ho and Ji-yun find themselves seated at a cozy tent restaurant, marking the moment Ji-yun officially acknowledges Eun-ho as her secretary.
Elsewhere, Woo Jeong-hun, another executive from Ji-yun's company, crosses paths with Jung Su-hyeon, a single mother, at the kindergarten where his widowed sister-in-law works, setting the stage for a potential new chapter.
Back in the office, Ji-yun embarks on an ambitious new venture: recruiting a renowned chef for an exclusive hotel. Alongside Eun-ho, she encounters the chef, who steadfastly insists that his sous-chef must also be hired as a non-negotiable condition.
Later, Ji-yun visits Kang-seok, Mi-ae's husband, at his quaint bookstore, where Byeol, Kang-seok's daughter, catches her eye. Curiosity piqued, Ji-yun teases Byeol about her ability to tackle an adult picture book, leaving Byeol both embarrassed and determined to prove her reading prowess during their next encounter.
Meanwhile, whispers about the sous-chef's hiring begin to swirl around Ji-yun and her team. Rumors suggest that the star chef and the sous-chef share a dubious relationship, explaining the chef's insistence on hiring her despite her lack of impressive educational credentials. Initially inclined to hire only the chef, the team is swayed by Eun-ho's suggestion to conduct a thorough investigation by speaking directly to those involved.
After engaging in a thorough discussion with both the chef and his sous chef, Ji-yun learns that there was indeed no misconduct involved. However, she cannot overlook the chef's wrist, which reveals signs of a recent surgery, making him heavily reliant on his sous chef. The sous chef, aware of the chef's condition, offers him unwavering support in the kitchen.
Reconsidering the circumstances, Ji-yun decides to extend the offer solely to the chef, reassuring him that the hotel will provide a capable sous chef to assist him. The chef gratefully accepts the proposal. Conversely, the sous chef, who has been the target of bullying among the kitchen staff, feels uneasy about moving forward independently.
Later, Ji-yun serendipitously encounters Byeol once again at the bookstore, where Byeol confidently reads a picture book to her. Meanwhile, the star chef secures his position, while Ji-yun acknowledges the sous chef's hidden potential and recommends her for a different role as a food scientist. Excited by the opportunity, the sous chef eagerly accepts and embarks on a fresh career path.
Eun-ho, observing Ji-yun's astute decision-making, realizes the true essence of headhunting: discovering a place where talents can truly flourish. The episode concludes with Eun-ho and Ji-yun sharing Byeol's umbrella, leaving a touching and memorable impression.
